As with any type of cosmetic surgery, it is not as simple as just turning up on the day. It is important to prepare yourself prior to the procedure, both physically and mentally. With that in mind, here are five steps you should be taking before your liposuction surgery.

1) Choose a cosmetic surgeon you can trust

Choosing to undergo cosmetic surgery is a big decision, and not one to be taken lightly. If you are serious about cosmetic surgery, you want to make sure you have a clinic and a surgeon that you trust completely. While traveling abroad to try and cut costs may seem tempting, with new horror stories about cosmetic surgery holidays gone wrong appearing all the time, it really isn’t worth the risk.

2) Set realistic expectations

Once you have found a surgeon and clinic you can trust, it is important to discuss the procedure and what it involves, before setting some realistic expectations. An experienced surgeon should be able to give you a good idea of the level of changes you can expect – liposuction should not be viewed as an alternative to weight loss, more of a procedure to help re-shape and tone specific areas of your body.

3) Start dieting and exercising

As we mentioned earlier in this post, liposuction should not be viewed as an alternative to dieting and exercise. Liposuction is most effective when a patient is already in the process of losing weight and is close to their goal. Having a diet and exercise regime in place will also help you keep the weight off after your surgery is over.

4) Stop smoking and drinking alcohol

You would always be advised by a surgeon to stop smoking and drinking before undergoing a cosmetic procedure. Smoking affects the circulatory system which can increase the chances of infection or blood loss during surgery, whereas alcohol can affect the way your body reacts to anaesthetic. Smoking is also really damaging to collagen and elastic fibres that need to be in the best condition to help reshape the skin after fat removal and not leave it looking empty and sagging.

5) Talk to people who know

Did you know that at Cosmetic Surgery Partners we can put you in touch with past patients who have had liposuction surgery performed by our surgeons? At the end of the day who better to advise you on what to expect than a patient who has been through the journey you are due to embark on! For more information see the Buddy System.